This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee FP-020, Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas, to supersede AS 3959—1999.

This Standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 (November 2009), Amendment No. 2 (February 2011) and Amendment No. 3 (November 2011). The changes required by the Amendment are indicated in the text by a marginal bar and amendment number against the clause, note, table, figure or part thereof affected.

This Edition incorporates the following changes:

(a) The method of determining the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) for a site (Section 2) has been revised and now comprises six categories, namely BAL—LOW, BAL—12.5, BAL—19, BAL—29, BAL—40 and BAL—FZ. These categories are based on heat flux exposure thresholds (see Table 3.1).
(b) The methods for determining the Bushfire Attack Level now include both a step-by- step procedure, including tables that list climate, slope of ground and vegetation variations in States and Territories (Section 2) and a detailed calculated procedure contained in Appendix B. The slope of ground has also been clarified in Section 2 and a description and measurement of slope is included in Clause 2.2.4.
(c) The construction sections have been reorganized in group-specific construction requirements by Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs), rather than by building component. There are now seven Sections, namely Section 3 (General) Section 4 (BAL—LOW, for which this Standard does not provide construction requirements), Section 5 (BAL—12.5), Section 6 (BAL—19), Section 7 (BAL—29), Section 8 (BAL—40), and Section 9 (BAL—FZ).
(d) The construction requirements in Sections 3 to 9 have been revised to address the levels of exposure for the Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs). This Edition takes into consideration building elements and materials that have been subjected to established test methods, such as AS 1530.4, Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance test of elements of construction, covering fire resistance. Standards Australia technical committee FP-018, Fire Safety, has developed test methods exclusively for materials and elements of construction in bushfire-prone areas, namely, AS 1530.8, Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack. Part 8.1: Radiant heat and small flaming sources, which covers BAL—12.5 to BAL—40 and Part 8.2: Large flaming sources, which covers BAL—FZ. Concessions for non-exposed facades are included in Section 3.
(e) Attached structures, such as garages, have been included.
(f) ‘Text deleted’
(g) A worked example of bushfire assessment is included in Appendix A and is based on the step-by-step method to assist with the requirements set out in Section 2.

The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.

The use of Notes in this Standard is of an advisory nature only. They provide explanations and guidance on recommended design consideration or technical procedures, as well as an informative cross-reference to other documents or publications.

This Standard incorporates a Commentary on some clauses. The Commentary directly follows the relevant clause, is designated by ‘C’ preceding the clause number and is printed in italics in a panel. The Commentary is for information only and does not need to be followed for compliance with the Standard.

Originated as AS3959-1991. Second edition 1999. Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (December 2000). Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 2 (December 2001). Third edition 2009. Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (November 2009). Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 2 (February 2011). Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 3 (November 2011).